Teaching Kids Good Sportsmanship

Why Sportsmanship Matters

"The best time to instill values is when kids are younger," says Rob Gotlin, DO, author of Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids. "Parents often don't realize how easy it really is to instill the values of sportsmanship," he says.

For kids—especially younger ones, ages 8 and under—the goals of youth sports should be physical activity and social interaction. "If we can remember this reality check on what sports is all about, we've laid the groundwork" for good sportsmanship, says Dr. Gotlin.

Start Young: Kids Eight and Under

Even if there are no official winners or losers (a common practice in many sports leagues for little kids), having teams and uniforms introduces competition. So it's extra important that parents and coaches keep the emphasis on having fun, getting exercise, and playing together.

Gotlin, who runs a youth basketball league, insists that players shake hands both before and after games. He also recommends that kids, coaches, and parents start the game with a group meeting to go over rules and remind everyone to just play and have a good time. If you won't be keeping score, let the kids know—and explain why, says Dr. Fish.

At this age, low-pressure team sports are the best. Being on the spot on the pitcher's mound or foul line is too much scrutiny for a young child, says Gotlin. Plus, in a sport like baseball, kids often spend too much time waiting around—and standing still. When they play soccer, they have to keep moving.

All team members should have plenty of opportunities to play and receive positive feedback for their efforts.

Ages 8-12: Keep a Cool Head

In the abstract, it's easy to agree on the basic principles of sportsmanship: respect for teammates, opponents, and the game, and graceful winning and losing.

To impart these values, coaches (and parents) can use a combination of education (teaching kids in a language they understand), positive peer pressure, and consequences or policies (such as a system of warnings for broken rules followed by suspension from the practice or game).

Even with a firm foundation, following through is not always easy in the heat of the moment. As kids approach puberty, tempers begin to flare on the field and the sidelines, so both parents and players need to know how to predict and prevent blow-ups. In his book, Fish outlines a three-step plan:

1. Know your attitudes about winning and losing, teamwork, and competition. If you're an especially competitive person, you'll have to work harder to control your emotions.
2. Know your triggers. "If I see a coach speaking harshly to my child, that pushes a button in me," says Fish. For other parents, triggers might include a perceived bad call from the referee or a feeling that an opponent is taking advantage of your child. Kids might be set off by making a mistake (such as striking out).
3. Know how to calm down. Have a game plan for what to do when one of those triggers sets off an emotional response. A parent might have to walk away from the sidelines for a moment. A child could ask a teammate to remind them to take a deep breath or "shake it off."

Teens: Teach Respect and Confidence

In high school, kids are acutely aware of winning, losing, and their performance, which can spell problems for good sportsmanship. "Whenever there is more pressure for results, that increases the chances kids are going to do what they need to do in order to win," says Fish. "They are more likely to cross the line, taunting another player or fudging a rule."

If a player makes a mistake, they often lose focus. "Success breeds confidence and vice versa," says Gotlin. So positive reinforcement is still necessary now, as is a strong emphasis on discipline and values. Adults need to take the lead.

Parents also need to watch their mindset, says Gotlin. "Parents want to see their kid stealing a base or getting an extra hit. It's the adult world poisoning the kids' minds. We need to fix ourselves first and then instill values in our kids." The message you want to impart: "I am here to see you compete and work on your skills."

Emphasize what you can and can't control. Sportsmanship is a choice. "There are all kinds of forces out there that parents and coaches can't control," says Dr. Fish. "I can't control what ESPN says or what the other team is doing. But I can teach my kid the importance of playing by the rules, shaking the hands of the opponent, helping him up if he falls—teaching him that even if his opponent doesn't do that, he can still do it because it's the right thing to do."

Find the Right Coach

Before enrolling your child in a youth sports league or school team, check out its philosophy on sportsmanship by asking the following questions:

• How does the league teach sportsmanship? What are its policies about keeping score, trash-talking (by players or parents), encounters with opponents, and discipline?
• How is playing time determined—by talent, seniority, effort in practice? Or is it divided equally among all players?
• What are the coach’s goals for the team? Is he gung-ho about winning, or is the aim to introduce the sport? What about encouraging physical activity or social interaction?

There aren't necessarily right or wrong answers here; a lot depends on your child's age and temperament. But if you're unsatisfied with the answers, try to find another option—or at least be aware of what you're getting into and teach values to your child on your own.

If you're unhappy with a coach's performance midway through a season, avoid confronting him or her at a practice or game. Instead, schedule a meeting at a neutral site and time. If possible, include other parents, and of course, be respectful of the coach.

Tailor Teachings to Your Child's Personality

Knowing your child's temperament helps you find the most effective ways to teach sportsmanship and values. Kids break down into four main personality types, says Fish: emotional, conscientious, aggressive, and social.

While most kids will have a combination of these, usually one dominates. If you can identify which one your child is, you will know what you most need to work on when teaching sportsmanship:

• Emotional: Focus on teaching them how to calm down and lighten up. Help them notice how their body reacts when they're upset (clenched muscles, shallow breathing). Brainstorm ways to respond (counting to 10, deep breaths, a brisk walk).
• Conscientious: Help them differentiate between striving for perfection and perfectionism. Talk about setting positive goals for how to improve, instead of allowing too much focus on the negative.
• Aggressive: Make consequences clear. Show them where the line is, and what the response will be if they cross it. Make sure to follow-up if they do break a rule.
• Social: Use peer pressure to your advantage. Stress the value of cooperating with teammates, and remind them that the team can help them stay positive if they're feeling down or frustrated.